Ronkonkoma, NY Lucharitos, theTex-Mex chain, is set to open a new location. The restaurant, situated within TRITEC Real Estate Company’s Station Yards project, will lease 1,500 s/f. TRITEC was represented in the transaction by Steven D’Orazio, Maria Valanzano, and Jake Horowitz of Colliers.

From its start as a 750 s/f in Greenport, Lucharitos has expanded to Mattituck, Center Moriches, and Melville. The addition of Ronkonkoma, their fifth location, reflects Lucharitos’ commitment to serving a broader audience, catering to customers in the center of the Island.

Marc LaMaina, owner of Lucharitos, said, “When we started this journey, we wanted to create a space that people could come to and feel like they stepped into vacation mode, even if it is for half an hour. Creating that vibe has been the cornerstone of the Lucharitos brand since day one. The combination of tacos, margaritas, nostalgic pro wrestling, and a big hit of genuine hospitality really caught on.”

LaMaina and his team couldn’t be more excited to get started on the new location, he said, “When the opportunity to team up with Tritec on their Station Yards project came about, we jumped on it. The professionalism and commitment they have shown us before we even break ground has been amazing. As an emerging regional brand with hopes of eventually becoming national, we intend to use the Ronkonkoma location here at Station Yards as another stepping stone to making that dream a reality.”

Lucharitos opened its doors in 2012 after the loss of LaMaina’s first small business from Superstorm Sandy and the birth of his first son. As a result, Lucharitos, meaning “little fighter,” was born. The restaurant has chef-inspired Tex-Mex dishes and margaritas with a vintage luchador twist.

“Bringing Lucharitos into TRITEC’s Station Yards project marks a significant milestone for our team. As a vibrant and beloved local brand, Lucharitos perfectly encapsulates the spirit of community and innovation we’re fostering at Station Yards. Their commitment to leasing the first pad site of 1,500 s/f sets a dynamic tone for the development. Our team is thrilled to have played a pivotal role in this partnership, reflecting our dedication to enhancing the local business landscape and offering unique culinary experiences to the community,” said D’Orazio, vice president of Colliers.

Station Yards is a transformative project developed by TRITEC, creating a vibrant new hub for Long Islanders. Along with 1,450 apartments, 195,000 s/f of retail space, and 360,000 s/f of office space, Station Yards is creating thousands of jobs and housing options at the busiest train station in Suffolk County. TRITEC completed the first phase of 489 apartment homes, Alston Station Yards, in 2021. The current development phase includes:

• 388 apartment homes.

• 70,000 s/f of retail space.

• 16,500 s/f of office.

• A public plaza

“The inclusion of Lucharitos at Station Yards signifies a major milestone in our development as we continue to fill spaces with dynamic tenants,” said Jimmy Coughlan, vice president of development at TRITEC. “Lucharito’s lively atmosphere and flavorful dishes are the perfect complement to make Station Yards a culinary and community destination.” TRITEC expects construction to be complete in late spring or early summer.